iPad comparison
iPad (11th gen) vs iPad Air M3
Compare iPad (11th gen) vs iPad Air M3 side by side: chip, memory, storage, display, ports, launch price and how each fits in Apple history.
iPad (A16, 11th generation)A straightforward update: the faster A16, more RAM and a 128 GB base, keeping the everyday iPad cheap and capable.
iPad Air (M3)A speed bump to the M3 (in both 11" and 13"), adding ray tracing and a faster GPU while keeping the Air’s value pricing.At a glance
Both launched in 2025. 10 of 13 specs differ.
Going from the iPad (A16, 11th generation) to the iPad Air (M3), the chip changes from the Apple A16 to the Apple M3, memory goes up from 6 GB to 8 GB, and it gets lighter, 477 g to 460 g. Launch price rises from $349 to $599.
- ChipApple A16Apple M3
- Memory6 GB8 GB
- Weight477 g460 g
- Launch price$349$599
Unchanged storage, ports.
Specs side by side
| Spec | iPad (A16, 11th generation) | iPad Air (M3) |
|---|---|---|
| ReleaseSame | March 12, 2025 | March 12, 2025 |
| Launch price | $349 | $599 |
| Price today | $352 | $605 |
| Chip | Apple A16 · 3.46 GHz | Apple M3 · 4.05 GHz |
| Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU | Apple 9-core GPU |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Memory | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| StorageSame | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Display | 11" Liquid Retina IPS, 2360×1640 | 11" or 13" Liquid Retina, up to 2732×2048 |
| Weight | 477 g | 460 g |
| Dimensions | 248.6×179.5×7 mm | 247.6×178.5×6.1 mm |
| PortsSame | USB-C | USB-C |
| Operating system | iPadOS 18 | iPadOS 18.3 |
Highlighted cells win clear more-is-better specs (memory, storage, lighter weight). Historical pricing uses approximate US CPI; clock speeds are not full real-world performance.
Why each matters
Doubled base storage to 128 GB at the entry price.
Brought hardware ray tracing and dynamic caching to the Air via the M3.
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Last updated: 2026-08-18